Payroll
New Employer Payroll Setup: Step-by-Step Checklist for 2026
Get your EIN, register with FL Dept of Revenue, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
Practical guides on FL reemployment tax, minimum wage, workers' comp, and wage laws ? written for small business owners, not accountants.
| Tax / Obligation | Rate / Threshold | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax Withholding | Bracket-based (W-4) | Employer withholds |
| Florida State Income Tax | None | N/A |
| FL Reemployment Tax (new employer) | 2.7% on first $7,000 | Employer pays |
| FICA (Social Security) | 6.2% each on first $176,100 | Employer + Employee |
| FICA (Medicare) | 1.45% each (no cap) | Employer + Employee |
| Florida Minimum Wage (2026) | $14.00/hr (effective Sept 30, 2025) | All employers |
Source: floridarevenue.com • floridajobs.org • Updated January 2026
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Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, Paychex, and ADP — compared honestly. Who each product is right for, where each falls short, and what to ask before you sign anything.
Get your EIN, register with FL Dept of Revenue, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
When to register, how to do it at floridarevenue.com, quarterly RT-6 filing, and what triggers the requirement.
Florida minimum wage increases annually under Amendment 2. Approximately $14/hr in 2026, tipped minimum ~$9.98 plus tips.
No state income tax but reemployment tax, FUTA, and FICA still apply. Everything FL employers need to know.
Get your EIN, register with FL Dept of Revenue, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
When to register, how to do it at floridarevenue.com, quarterly RT-6 filing, and what triggers the requirement.
Florida minimum wage increases annually under Amendment 2. Approximately $14/hr in 2026, tipped minimum ~$9.98 plus tips.
When to register, how to do it at floridarevenue.com, quarterly RT-6 filing, and what triggers the requirement.
Florida minimum wage increases annually under Amendment 2. Approximately $14/hr in 2026, tipped minimum ~$9.98 plus tips.
No state income tax but reemployment tax, FUTA, and FICA still apply. Everything FL employers need to know.
Get your EIN, register with FL Dept of Revenue, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
When to register, how to do it at floridarevenue.com, quarterly RT-6 filing, and what triggers the requirement.
Florida minimum wage increases annually under Amendment 2. Approximately $14/hr in 2026, tipped minimum ~$9.98 plus tips.
New employer rate 2.7%, experienced range 0.10%?5.4%, $7,000 wage base, and how to lower your rate.
Gusto vs Paychex vs QuickBooks vs ADP ? detailed comparison for Florida small businesses.
Gusto handles payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposit automatically. Trusted by 300,000+ small businesses. Start with a free trial — no credit card required.
On Gusto’s website — Florida Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Before you run payroll, you need a legal business entity. LegalZoom handles your Articles of Organization, registered agent, and operating agreement — all online. Trusted by 4M+ small business owners. Starts at $0 + state filing fees.
On LegalZoom’s website — Florida Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Employment laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements change frequently. The information on this page reflects our understanding as of the date noted above and may not reflect recent changes in federal or Florida state law. Do not act or refrain from acting based solely on the information in this article. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or HR professional familiar with Florida law before making payroll or compliance decisions for your business.